Putting Christ back in Xmas

The Pike County Journal-Reporter

Dr. Spencer Price

Putting Christ back in Xmas

Posted by

Walter Geiger

in Opinions

Tuesday, December 20. 2011

Comments (25)

I remember the first time I ever saw the term Xmas. I was just a kid. It was a week or so before Christmas and my brother and I had gone to spend the night with an older sister, her husband, and their young son. On a large mirror in the living room of their home, written in white shoe polish, were the words “Merry Xmas!” I was confused.

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#1 Anonymas on 12/20/11 at 01:05 PM

X is the Greek symbol for Christ. This "abbreviation" has been in use for centuries. The true crime here is that people these days (including Dr. Whoever) ignore history in order to further their radical agendas. Merry Xmas to all!

#1.1 Christmas Cheer on 12/20/11 at 01:56 PM

That is my understanding as well. I did a little online research and Xmas has been used for HUNDREDS of years. Secular Christmas has become more of a problem but it;s not from the letter X.

#1.2 fat bass tard on 12/20/11 at 02:19 PM

not exactly true. "X" does not mean "Christ" in greek. it is simply the first letter of the word that is translated as "Christ" in greek.

#1.2.1 Tim on 12/20/11 at 07:00 PM

Well said Fat one.

#1.2.2 Anonymous on 12/21/11 at 08:45 AM

Correct, but it has been used for centuries to symbolize the word Christ. Kind of a Greek shorthand.

#1.2.2.1 fat bass tard on 12/21/11 at 01:10 PM

by the greeks, yes, it has been used that way.

as a Christian, i would prefer not to shorten the word in that way as i feel that it is important to understand the reason for Christmas.

#1.2.2.1.1 Anonymous on 12/22/11 at 09:21 AM

Much of our language as we know it today was used by the ancient Greeks first. Your point is moot.

Just because someone uses an "X" doesn't mean they don't remember Christ. How is that "X" pronounced? CHRIST.

#1.2.2.1.1.1 Sheila Tolley on 12/22/11 at 11:02 AM

When you come before Christ at judgement, just ask him to move aside because you want to talk to the X-MAN.

#1.2.2.1.1.2 fat bass tard on 12/22/11 at 11:14 AM

no it isn't.

#1.2.2.1.1.2.1 Anonymous on 12/22/11 at 02:05 PM

Oh. So when you see Merry Xmas you read it as Merry Eksmas?
Putz.

#1.2.2.1.1.2.1.1 fat bass tard on 12/23/11 at 01:01 PM

yes, i do. that's what it spells.

x does not equal Christ in greek or in english. in greek x is chi pronounced ky. it does not nor has it ever been the equivalent of Christ in english or Χριστός which is the greek word for Christ.

x in greek or english is simply a letter. it began the word the greeks used for Christ.

you can keep saying the same incorrect thing over and over, it still does not make it correct.

#1.2.2.1.2 Anonymous on 12/22/11 at 01:36 PM

Another ancient symbol for Christ is the fish. Could we draw a fish and follow it with -mas? Did you know that the greek symbol for God is theta? Please tell me you are against this as well.

#1.2.3 Anonymas on 12/21/11 at 06:14 PM

The comment does not state that X "means" Christ. It states that it is the Greek "symbol" for Christ. Wikipedia is a handy tool, but is only good for quick references. You should always check multiple sources before correcting. Merry Xmas

#1.2.3.1 fat bass tard on 12/22/11 at 09:03 AM

X is not the greek symbol for Christ either. it is just like i said the first letter of the word that translates to Christ in greek.

and i never use wikipedia. it is edited by folks like you.

#1.2.3.1.1 Anonymous on 12/22/11 at 01:20 PM

I love your comments. Judging by your name and thought provoking words I can tell you are a well educated, Christian person.

#1.2.3.1.1.1 fat bass tard on 12/22/11 at 01:40 PM

subtle. i like it.

#2 Justa Christian on 12/21/11 at 07:17 AM

Why worry about what the X means? Just use Christ and that would be one less worry we have in this world. Another note...take some of the commercial out of Christmas. Use this time to spend with loved ones and not spend all your money on items that will stuck in a closet. If you buy things for someone that they really need, why use Christmas as a reason to give. If someone is in need, give to them any time of the year.

#3 Don Brown on 12/21/11 at 07:47 AM

This is what passes for enlightening commentary in the newspaper now? The erroneous conclusion of a childhood memory used to justify a religiously-biased boycott of "The Free Market"? You know, the same "free market" that conservatives worship which spends billions taking "Christ out of Christmas" via advertising so you'll spend Christmas Day opening "presents" (aka consumer products) under the tree instead of in church worshipping Christ? You hypocrites.

By the way, you would think the good doctor might have heard of Wikipedia.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xmas

Let me guess, he believes Wikipedia is some kind of liberal conspiracy too.

Don Brown

#4 RTVOLS on 12/21/11 at 11:24 AM

Mr Don Brock
X ing out Christ is something you will have to answer for when you meet Christ. Maybe you can tell him what Wikipedia said about taking him out of Christmas. I'm sure he will understand.

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

#4.1 Anonymous on 12/23/11 at 11:59 AM

Please do some research! Information on the true meaning of Xmas is available through many sources. It has been used for centuries! I wish people would pick and choose their battles. There are many more worthy ones to be fought.

#5 know what on 12/21/11 at 04:56 PM

Without Christ, December 25th is just Xmas

#6 Anonymous on 12/21/11 at 06:04 PM

It is quixotic thinking like this that makes me sad for the future of our country. I can understand it from the local morons, but from a conservative "leader"???

#6.1 fat bass tard on 12/22/11 at 04:40 PM

and it's your lack of thinking that makes me sad for the future of our country.

#6.1.1 Anonymous on 12/23/11 at 12:13 PM

I'll stop here. Just trying to get people to use their brains! Hopefully, I have accomplished that. In all sincerity...Merry Christmas!

#7 Anonymous on 12/23/11 at 03:26 PM

Merriam Webster Dictionary
Origin of XMAS
X (symbol for Christ, from the Greek letter chi (X), initial of Christos Christ) + -mas (in Christmas)
First Known Use: 1551

Interesting article from a Christian perspective: http://www.crivoice.org/symbols/xmasorigin.html

While it is true that the true Greek name for Christ was adopted as Chi Rho, The X, or Chi is like using a first initial. The adopted greek shorthand for God is Theta or a circle with a horizontal line through it. Early churches used X for Christ to save space. It was not only used for Christmas, but for Xianity as well.

There are many more..if anyone is interested just take the time to look for yourself.

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